Shark Help

[reedlog]

Okay... according to my "Marine Fishes" book the Whitespotted Bamboo Shark (Chilosycllium plagiosum) has a very high aquarium suitability rating, meaning it is a very harty and readily acclimates to aquarium confines.
Also, it states that "A juvenile can easily be kept in smaller quarters, even in a tank as small as a 20 gallon long, but the aquarist must be prepared to provide a larger system as the shark grows."

Therefore, I am interested in getting one of these for my 75gallon (with the intentions of having a larger tank in the future). But, I have some questions about the type of shark, to assure that I am not confusing this particular shark with another similar species. According to some sites such as this: (I know I shouldnt probably put the link here, but im not advertising or purchasing through them, just have questions about the fish)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/...cfm?pCatId=1523

"The Bamboo Shark is also known as a Cat Shark because the barbels at the mouth look like cat whiskers. It is also referred to as the Whitespotted Bamboo Shark, and has a brown-colored body with broad tan stripes and spots. "

They also have it described as the "Chiloscyllium plagiosum."
Is this as well as any "bamboo cat shark" the actuall whitespotted bamboo shark that I am looking for? I'm actually looking to purchase this from a friend of a friend and he says it is a 'Bamboo Cat.'

I hope I have made some sense and didnt confuse anyone!
Thanks so much for any help!

 

[LA-Lawman]

Hi,

My concerns...

[i hate to sound mean. this is a subject that is hard to explain the history on]

Sharks should not be kept in aquariums..... but if you must....

no smalller than a 300g but they will outgrow that too. so no less that a 6-700g tank...

I do not agree with keeping sharks in aquariums... they belong free in the ocean.

 

[Mihai]

I think you should not get one.
M.

 

[Anonymous]

You guys are jumping the gun a bit here. The vast majority of sharks are unsuitable for home aquariums, but there are some that will do just fine in tanks that are around 2-300g. This species is one of the best, along with the Epaulette shark.

This species gets around 24-30" if I remember right, and they don't need a whole lot of swimming room. A 200 g tank would be suitable for an adult. I very strongly suggest that you pick up the book "Aquarium Sharks and Rays" by Scott W. Michael if you are keen on keeping a shark of any kind.

 

[reedlog]

thanks for all the help

 

[Mihai]

to Matt.

I still think he should not get one before he upgrades. If he's really commited to get a shark he should upgrade first, then get the shark. Of course, it's just my opinion, but I thought that this is why he posted - to hear it .

Mihai

 

[Anonymous]

Every time I've seen this particular shark for sale (probably a few dozen over the years) it has been a full grown individual. So I imagine it would be fairly difficult to find a juvenile in the first place. In that sense, I agree with you. A 75 g is far too small.

 

[Anonymous]

to Matt.

I still think he should not get one before he upgrades. If he's really commited to get a shark he should upgrade first, then get the shark. Of course, it's just my opinion, but I thought that this is why he posted - to hear it .

Mihai

While I agree with this logic, times are a-changin. Thanks in part to the Internet, more and more people are understanding potential adult fish size, and are paying attention to the health of their fishes. I have spoken to a great many people who wish to upgrade their tanks as their fish grow. I have to say, it warms my heart when someone tells me "My bigass such n such fish is outgrowing it's tank, what tank size should I buy for it? I want him to be happy."

8)
I love it

My concern is more for the experience level of the person buying the shark...generally young men who want to show off their tanks to their friends and have no ability to keep the animal alive longterm. The usual lionfish, piranha, dovii crowd. I think Mihai's point leads in that direction...in other words, if you are not willing to put out the money for a larger system, then we are unsure of how serious you are about this.

Unfortunately, too many people out there with more money than willingness to learn proper husbandry. We've all dealt with these types.

My apologies to reedlog, I know you are not that type

Edit: Matt, conversely, I've only seen juveniles for sale here.

 

[Anonymous]

Edit: Matt, conversely, I've only seen juveniles for sale here.

You do know this is a different shark than the brownbanded bamboo right?

I see tons of juveniles of that species, Chiloscyllium punctatum, for sale. They get about 4' long IIRC.

I have never seen a juvie C. plagiosum, but lots of adults.

On a related note, another full grown one I see a lot is the coral catshark, Atelomycterus marmoratus. I think they only get 24" on average.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are right, I was thinking of the punctatum which, IMO, is the prettier of the two. I would prefer the marmoratus, though. Lovely animal.

 

[Black96WS6]

I've kept interesting marine creatures all my life (used to have 3 sharks in 3 different tanks at one point). Currently I have a bimac octopus who is doing wonderful (and getting big).

The one piece of advice I can give you is this:

Please make sure your tank is setup properly for the shark if you do decide to get one.

Do not have sharp pieces of coral or live rock in the tank. Preferably there should be none. The shark will eventually scrape its soft underbelly on the rock or coral as it swims by, it will get infected, and die.

That is not the ending you'd want for such a beautiful creature.

Bamboo sharks love squid, they can smell it in the water as soon as you put it in. I used to buy frozen squid cubes soaked in vitamins for my sharks. And fresh squid at the store if you can get it is good too.